This story is part of a series highlighting local school superintendents as part of GSI’s IN Schools campaign. Watch each week for the next edition!
Ben Ferney, superintendent of Cheney Public Schools, attributes his leadership skills to his father, whom he credits for serving as his first mentor. Ferney describes his father as having quiet strength and a strong belief in others, which left a deep impression on him.
“He remains my hero,” Ferney shares. “His support continues to guide me in how I lead and inspire those around me.”
Ferney leads with heart, humility, and a service-oriented vision. A graduate of Mead High School, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, and Gonzaga University, Ferney proudly embodies the values of the Cougar, Eagle, and Zag in everything he does.
One of Ferney’s most formative experiences happened early in his leadership journey when a transportation director took him on a drive around the district to show where students live. During that drive, he saw firsthand the reality of rural poverty. This experience permanently shaped his understanding of equity and continues to influence his leadership—guided by empathy, curiosity, and awareness. “It reminded me to stay curious, listen deeply, and approach every decision with compassion,” Ferney recalled.
Among his greatest mentors is Dr. Michael Dunn, who recognized Ferney’s leadership potential before he saw it in himself. “His belief in me inspired confidence and a deeper commitment to serving others,” Ferney says. Today, he works to pass that same sense of encouragement and belief on to those he leads.
Ferney is proud to serve a district spanning a large area—Cheney Public Schools covers over 380 square miles, with buses traveling more than 5,000 miles each day. In 2024, the community strongly approved a $72 million bond, showing great trust in the district’s leadership and future.
“Cheney is a remarkable district with compassionate, driven students and staff who work tirelessly to support them,” he says. “Their leadership is needed in our world now more than ever.”
While most know Ferney as a thoughtful leader, many are surprised to learn that he holds a world record for the highest trick on a sit-down hydrofoil—a water sport that involves riding a board that lifts above the water’s surface with wings. The same determination he applies to the water appears in his work: steady, courageous, and always willing to lift others.
Learn more about how you can support GSI’s IN School’s campaign to foster stronger connections between our schools and the communities they serve.